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FA C T S H E E T

Intelligence & Global

Security
Sector overview
Intelligence and security is a broad field encompassing a diverse range of organisations and
professions. This fact sheet will focus primarily on public and private intelligence and global
security organisations rather than organisations concerned with weapons, defence and
technology. The private intelligence sector is significant in the USA where it is a $116 billion a
year industry. The security industry in the UK is worth over £6 billion a year and employs
over 500,000 people. The sector includes everything from companies fitting security systems
to the strategic and operational activities of national and international governmental
organisations. Intelligence work is primarily research or consultancy led. This is often desk
based research but also field work; linguistic capacity, willingness to travel and a strong
interest in political systems, geopolitics and international relations are very important. It can
be challenging for a graduate to enter intelligence work, particularly in the private sector,
after a first degree. Entry level opportunities are available but it is common for people move
into this area of work with experience, possibly in public sector intelligence.
The Prospects and National Careers Service websites are excellent resources with which to begin
researching the diversity of available career options linked to intelligence and global security
intelligence and global security.

What skills may I need?

 Research skills (qualitative and quantitative) and ability to think analytically
 Inquisitive and academically flexible
 Strong communication and interpersonal skills
 Ability to organise time
 Ability to synthesise and communicate ideas
 Effective report writing and presentation skills
 In some cases, one or more languages in addition to English, e.g. Russian, Arabic,
Farsi and Chinese can also be an asset.
 Regional and country knowledge

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How do I gain work experience?

Internships are available in this sector, although not common. Internships are structured
work experience opportunities, which may be paid or unpaid, usually between 2 -10 weeks.
Often the work is at a level equivalent to that experienced as part of a graduate scheme or
equivalent entry level position. Recruiters may use internships as part of their selection for
graduate entry level roles. Deadlines for applications vary between individual employers,
check websites for details. Some deadlines may be as early October/November.
Opportunities are advertised via our vacancy service, which is available through the Student
Services Portal, but also through the main graduate careers websites such as Prospects,
Target Jobs and Milkround
Intelligence
Intelligence can be considered in terms of the operations work undertaken by government
run organisations and the consultancy, analytical, security, operational and technology led
services provided by private intelligence companies.
In the UK, public intelligence is primarily delivered by MI5 (domestic intelligence) and SIS
(international intelligence). The other main intelligence and security agency is GCHQ. Other
relevant organisations include the HM Revenue and Customs, National Crime Agency,
National Counter Terrorism Security Office, Home Office, Defence Intelligence, Serious
Fraud Office and the British Army Intelligence Corps. You can find out more about security
careers within the Civil Service on their careers website. Work experience is not usually
available in British public intelligence agencies but you could consider opportunities in other
government departments and agencies. It is also worth exploring work experience with other
organisations that are relevant to intelligence and global security e.g. media/journalism
organisations, NGOs, think tanks. The situation in the USA is different in that it is possible to
undertake an internship with a government agency but you do have to be a US citizen e.g.
Department for Homeland Security. Internationally, work experience is available with some
international governmental organisations (IGOs). Examples include NATO and OSCE.
The private intelligence and security sector provides some scope for experience but formal
internship schemes are limited. Speculatively (see our help sheet on speculative
applications) approaching relevant companies is important, not only in terms of work
experience but also building your network of professional contacts. Intelligence and security
services are provided by a diverse range of organisations so it is important to think broadly in
terms of relevant experience: finance and investment firms, management consultancies and
professional service firms, engineering, logistics and transport companies, events and
hospitality, defence companies, technology consultancies. It is also useful to consider the
‘aspects’ of intelligence that interest you e.g. analytics, linguistics, engineering and
technology, operations, consultancy etc.
The intelligence and security agencies listed here are examples of organisations that do
offer internships or some form of work experience:
 BAE Systems – global defence company; 12 week internships e.g. cyber security;
placements also available
 Atkins (part of the SNC Lavalin group) - placements (12 months) and summer
internships within Aerospace, Defence, Security and Technology
 PWC – summer internships in cyber security and forensic technology
 FTI Consulting – business advisory firm that operates in areas such as cyber security,
information governance, anti-bribery and corruption. Internships advertised across global
offices.

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 Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) – international

government organisation concerned with security related concerns; 2-6 month
internships available
 NATO Internship Programme – 6 month internship with the International Staff at NATO
Headquarters in Brussels. Interns paid 800 euros per month. Internships start in March
or September and the application phase takes place between March and April of the
previous year. Applicants must have completed at least 2 years of university study and
be proficient in English or French.
 International Institute for Strategic Studies – global security think tank; internships
advertised when opportunities arise
 Chatham House – international policy institute engaged with a range of policy issues
including international security and migration; paid internships advertised when
opportunities arise
 GCHQ – variety of programmes available including 10 week paid cyber insights summer
school and 11 week language talent programmes
Political risk
Political risk is concerned with providing consulting, advisory and information services to
investors (money and resources) exploring opportunities in different parts of the world.
Political risk isn’t singularly concerned with intelligence and security but it is a key feature in
terms of understanding risks associated with terrorism, crime, conflict etc. Clients include
governments and NGOs in addition to private sector companies and investors.
In terms of work experience, political risk services are delivered by different employers
including insurance companies, banks, rating agencies, management consultancies,
international companies, think tanks, governmental organisations and NGOs. There are
however, dedicated risk management and political risk consultancies that specialise in this
field. The companies listed below are examples of those that offer work experience
opportunities. In some cases, you will need to meet specific requirements in terms of
experience, language skills and level/type of qualification.
 Control Risks – 3-6 month internships advertised on an ongoing basis; depending on
role/region strong focus on specific language skills
 Eurasia – one year paid political risk training programme for graduates with a degree in
political science, regional studies, or economics
 Risk Advisory – global risk management consultancy; internships advertised when
opportunities arise
 RAND – US based policy organisation (Cambridge office in UK); 12 week summer
associate programme available to PhD students. Research assistant level roles
advertised on the Rand Europe website.
 Global Risk Insights - provide voluntary opportunities for individuals interested in writing
articles on topics related to political risk; editorial opportunities also available
 IHS Markit – data intelligence and analytics company that operates across many
industries and sectors, including defence & security and country risk. Internships
advertised across global offices.
Other work experience options
Intelligence and global security experience is difficult to access so it is useful to explore other
opportunities that may support your interest in this career area. Experience in organisations
that reflect the areas of intelligence and security that interest you is one option to consider.
For example, for someone with an interest in cyber security, internships with technology
consultancies or professional services firms would be highly relevant; those with a strong
focus on public policy may target think tanks, charities and law firms. Similarly, individuals
with a broader interest in geopolitics may explore opportunities with NGOs, international

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governmental organisations, public relations and media companies and international

companies with in-house risk teams (e.g. banks, insurance companies, oil and logistics
companies). It is also useful to consider experience that will develop relevant skills (e.g.
data and information analysis, project management, investigation, report writing and
research) or knowledge (regional insights, cultural and linguistic understanding). Another
option is research experience within a university or research institute. Such opportunities are
typically dependent on available funding but you could make an initial enquiry to appropriate
research groups/projects and individual academics.

What can I do at Durham?

Get involved in employer careers activities
The Careers & Enterprise Centre organises and hosts a range of employer activities on
campus, enabling you to network and find out about opportunities and develop relevant
skills. These take place throughout the year, but predominantly in Michaelmas and
Epiphany term. You can find out more about the range of activities on the Student Services
Portal.
Student societies
Durham University has a number of societies that have relevance to aspects of intelligence
and global security. Durham University Politics and International Relations Society is an
obvious consideration but you may also wish to consider other societies that have particular
political perspective or policy focus e.g. Durham University Amnesty International.
Research groups
There may be opportunities to get involved (e.g. public lectures, networking events) with
relevant research institutes and centres at Durham University that do engage in issues
concerning global security and risk. Examples include:
 Global Policy Institute
 Centre for Institutions and Political Behaviour
 Human Rights Centre
Volunteering opportunities
Taking on a position of responsibility, such as a course rep within your department, or in a
University club or society can be an excellent way to develop skills and gain relevant
experience, as can volunteering for a charity. See Durham University Volunteering and
Outreach, and Do IT Life to find opportunities. DUCK and Do IT Life to find opportunities.
Develop your language skills
The Centre for Foreign Language Study offers a range of study options (credit bearing and
extra-curricular) for students who are not studying a languages degree.

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How can I find opportunities?

Graduate schemes
Intelligence and global security careers can be difficult to enter as graduates. Depending on
the aspects of this sector that interest you, a combination of further study/training and
professional experience in related fields or industries may be necessary. A small number of
graduate training schemes are available although primarily offered by governmental
organisations, technology and defence companies rather than intelligence and political risk
agencies. Competition is high and some employers have specific selection criteria including
type and level of study. It is important to research employers carefully as entry requirements
will very according to the type of organisation and the nature of the position. For intelligence
analyst roles, employers will expect a strong academic profile and effective research and
report writing skills; some will specifically recruit candidates at postgraduate level. Specialist
knowledge and language skills can also be a factor, particularly for roles in particular global
regions or fields (e.g. corruption, fraud).
 Secret Intelligence Service – entry level opportunities (intelligence officers, language
specialists, scientists and technologist, business support officers). SIS Intelligence
Officer recruitment involves many different stages. You must be a British national and
have achieved, or be expected to achieve, a minimum of a 2:2 degree. There is no set
deadline for applications; latest vacancies are advertised on the SIS website.
 MI5 – Intelligence Officer Development Programme
 GCHQ – Graduate research and analyst roles; specialist roles in areas such as
linguistics, maths and cryptography
 GPW—London and Dubai based intelligence firm; recruit gradates into entry level roles
(particular interest in languages e.g. Arabic, Russian)
 Booz Allen Hamilton - Consultancy working in the defence and security sectors.
Graduate opportunities available (primarily USA but international)
 BAE Systems – Cyber security consulting programme
 Risk Advisory - Intelligence and Analysis practice has a number of London-based Junior
Research Analyst (JRA) positions, which are paid, temporary, part-time roles
 QuinetiQ – technology led defence and security company; different graduate
programmes available with a focus on technology and project management
 Lockheed Martin – 2 year graduate programme with this defence company
Graduate training schemes typically have closing dates between October and January of
your final year but there is considerable variation so check with individual organisations.
Refer to the main graduate job sites such as Target Jobs, Milkround and Prospects for
further information.
Other opportunities
Outside of the graduate schemes, the intelligence industry is extremely difficult to break into.
Relevant employment in related industries can be one means of accessing entry or
professional level opportunities. This could be within government, development banks,
NGOs, smaller consultancies or corporate in-house risk teams. Regional experience (e.g.
Middle East, Africa) is also very important, as are language skills (e.g. Arabic, Mandarin).
In respect of domestic intelligence, in addition to government agencies, investigative and

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field opportunities do arise within local authorities (e.g. trading standards, community safety)
and police forces (police staff roles e.g. countering cyber-crime and fraud, gathering and
developing intelligence and disrupting organised crime groups, counter terrorism). In the
private sector, large security companies like G4S recruit at different levels within the
operational and strategic parts of their business. Refer to the Prospects article on law
enforcement careers if you’d like to explore further.
Another good source of vacancies is the professional bodies that represent the different
aspects of intelligence and security work. Further information on these bodies but also
relevant job sites and recruitment agencies can be found in the relevant sections of this fact
sheet.

Useful vacancy websites

There are many websites featuring intelligence and security job opportunities, some of which
provide sector specific news and updates:
 Red Snapper – police and cyber related positions
 Security Cleared Jobs
 Civil Service Jobs
 Barclay Simpson - corporate security, risk, cyber security
 Lawson Chase - corporate intelligence and risk roles
 Devex - professional roles within global development sector

Postgraduate study
Postgraduate level study, while not essential for every aspect of intelligence and global
security, is important for positions where the focus is on research and consultancy e.g.
Intelligence Analyst. Programmes in international relations, politics, languages, risk
management and resilience, economics and law are examples of broadly relevant fields of
study. For some organisations, they may be looking for specialist regional knowledge or
linguistic skills alongside research skills and consequently more specific postgraduate study
may be appropriate. For intelligence careers with a defined technical remit (e.g. financial
crime, cyber-terrorism, weapons systems) postgraduate study in an aligned discipline is
important. There are also postgraduate courses explicitly concerned with intelligence,
security and counter-terrorism
Further information on postgraduate courses can be found on the Prospects and FindaMasters
websites. Jobs.ac.uk is a useful source of studentship opportunities in respect of postgraduate
study.
In addition to postgraduate study, there are options to undertake informal and formal
(accredited, professionally recognised) training and development programmes and courses.
You can usually find out about such opportunities via relevant professional bodies or
associations (see section below) but it is also worth exploring short courses delivered by
recognised online learning providers such as FutureLearn, Coursera and Udacity as well as
HE institutions e.g. Cranfield University – Protecting Critical National Infrastructure.

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Professional bodies
Professional bodies (also known as associations, organisations or societies) are non-profit
organisations concerned with developing, and supporting, a particular profession. They
represent a valuable resource for anyone considering entering a particular profession, as
they will provide information on employment and training opportunities. Professional bodies
will often accredit relevant professional and postgraduate courses; they can also provide a
range of other services linked to job and training vacancies, network events, conferences
and careers information.
 British Security Industry Association
 Security Industry Authority
 Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure
 Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA)
 Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)
 Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)
 Risk World
 Society for Risk Analysis (SRA)
 International Institute for Strategic Studies

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Further information

This Fact Sheet is one of many available in our Career Sector series. If you’re interested in this
field, you may also wish to explore our other Fact Sheets on:

 International Governmental Organisations

 International Development Work
 Civil Service
 Police, Probation and Criminal Justice
 Public Policy and Social Research

If this Fact Sheet is required in an alternative format, please contact us at

careers@durham.ac.uk.

Any questions?
Ask a careers question to get in contact with us about anything careers-related.

Our services
You can find out more about the services we offer on the Careers & Enterprise Centre website.
Current students can also access our Supporting Students website.

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